Is my Mastiff retarded?

Question

I have an English Mastiff, my first one. I have been attributing some of her mannerisms to being a pup, but I am starting to wonder. I read a lot about mastiffs before I bought her and everything I read said they were very intelligent, but how smart is sitting in your own crap pile? This can't be normal, is it? I mean she does it all the time, not on purpose, but just doesn't seem to care. Anyone have an answer?

A lot of answer are gravitating to me not cleaning up after her. I do, all the time, three times a day! She is at about 175 lbs right now and eats like crazy, so do the math... Plus, she has 2 acres, even if I missed a whole day of shoving huge piles of dog crap, she could still find plenty of places to sit that is not one of her piles...


She is 10 months old.

Answer 1

how long does it usually take for humans to become civilised? guess you know the answer. and NO, ur pet is NOT RETARDED, but u also fail to see that it is equally ur fault as well.

ur pup is only 10 months old. tell her very softly, in a loving tone, that it is wrong and she should stop. if you both have connected well, then ur pet will automatically respond to you. do not shout at ur pet and keep harsh treatements as the last resort or never.

my Rocky would do his business anywhere he likes for the first month, but when told, he automatically started using outdoors. and that was 3 yrs back.

and yes a proper potty training and small hygeine sessions for her by you, rather than a third party trainer, usually works better.

Answer 2

Number One Rule About Dog Breeds -- you will never read a book or online site about a breed that states "These dogs are dumb as bricks". All dogs are listed as "intelligent". While mastiffs are not border collies, your dog is not a complete dummy. Remember that dogs do not possess the same olfactory or behaviour inhibitions that humans do. Most dogs will avoid laying in their own feces if they were raised by their mum in a clean kennel area. The mum keeps both the pups and the immediate area free from puppy waste products. So: do you clean up your backyard frequently so that your dog can have a clean area? You might try keeping your dog on a leash with you in the backyard so that you can give a leash correction when he attempts this action. Alternatively, walk your dog on a leash frequently so that he does not have the opportunity to lie in it. Does your dog eat his feces? This is really gross and may change your attitude to kissing your best friend, but coprophilia (love of poo) is not uncommon. If he is lies in it, he may be snacking, too. Go back to my original advice and do not give him the opportunity. Ensure a poo-free backyard by cleaning frequently.

Answer 3

I think she might be acting out or doesn't know any better! I mean shes only a pup! I guess if things get worse you should contact a vet.

However, animal brains can't exactly be "retarded" like the human mind can suffer from. A dogs intelligents reflects the way it was brought up by the owner. So don't blame the poor thing!

Answer 4

Actually mastiffs are very easy to train, but most of them, personality wise, dont grow out of the puppy stage. If there is a "crap pile" for her to sit on, then obviously you need to clean it up quicker. Dogs will roll in other animals dung, dead animals and just about anything smelly. Mastiffs are very intelligent but very dopey.

Answer 5

Did you buy her in a pet shop? Did she get potty trained at 3-5 months, or was she in a kennel with other dogs? If she got used to crapping where she slept, then it's not really that big of a deal to her to roll around in it.

She's not exactly a human being kiddo. So I wouldn't use the phrase "retarded".

For her anyway. Some pet owners on the other hand, well.......

Answer 6

First, dogs aren't retarded unlike some humans
Secondly, why are you letting her sit in her poop anyway, that could be constrewed and neglect on YOUR part by allowing it to happen. Try taking her away from area as soon as she takes her dump. For some reason I didn't think it took a whole lot of brains to figure that one out. (no I'm not saying that you don't have a lot of brains), but it sounds like you may lack some good ol' fashion common sense.

Answer 7

Lotsa dogs are retarded, you just have to train her right. All dogs are smart and can learn.. my dog is running around the room looking very much lik e arat and burrowing under anything she can to get dry. I tell her to get off my bed, but half a second later she's back on.. she's 9months.. eh.

Just train your pup well, it'll take a lot of time, just giver her a chance.. great she just got into my clean clothes... haha GRRR.

Answer 8

10 months old ,she is just a baby, if she has 2 acres to poop on,dose she get to run the whole 2 acres or is she tied on a 30 foot chain, they usally don't want to poop where peple walk if they can get away. but as to intelligance, there is a many retarded dogs as there are retarded people

Answer 9

I adopted (rescued) a grown beagle who is a target sh!tter. I swear he has to go ON something.... it's very weird ... but then so were the people he lived with (the ones who thought he was disposable).

With a puppy, it's going to take some training and while you are working with her, you will discover her strengths and weaknesses. Retardation or slowness is relative.

Answer 10

I'm with Tary... Clean up after her more often, see if that changes anything. She may just be a goofy dog, and may in fact be very intelligent, just with odd mannerisms.